Carrier for the storage, distribution and re-use of a plurality of hook and loop fasteners

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to carriers for carrying a plurality of hook and loop fasteners. More specifically, the invention relates to carriers for carrying a plurality of hook and loop fasteners that define hooks on at least a portion of one side of the fastener and loops on at least a portion of the other.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/571,544 filed on Oct. 12, 2017.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to carriers for carrying a plurality ofhook and loop fasteners. More specifically, the invention relates tocarriers for carrying a plurality of hook and loop fasteners that definehooks on at least a portion of one side of the fastener and loops on atleast a portion of the other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A hook and loop fastener or strap, comprises a strip of fabric materialhaving tiny hooks defined on one side of the fastener and smaller loopsdefined on the other side. When the fastener is looped around ontoitself such that the ends of the fastener overlap one another, theoverlapping ends, when pressed together, will removably bind to oneanother due to the tiny hooks “hooking” or catching the smaller loops.Of course, because the binding nature of the hooks to the loops isremovable, the bound overlapping ends can be “pulled apart” and againseparated from one another for repeated use. The fastener, due to itsgeometry of binding to itself as a loop, is thus commonly used to bindbundles of materials together, such as ropes, wires, cables and othersimilar materials.

Because of its ease of use, hook and loop fasteners are used in a widevariety of applications where a temporary fastening of such bundles isrequired. Such applications often include assembly line work involvingcable or wire harnessing operations (i.e., the cable or wire harnessingwork stations of an auto assembly plant). However, complications arisein the handling of the fasteners themselves due to the fact that theyare only temporarily applied to a wire or cable bundle during harnessingoperations and thereafter removed there-from for re-use. The same hooksand loops of the fastener that allow for the ease of bundling orharnessing of materials often cause the fastener to tangle onto itselfand/or other fasteners during its storage and re-use, thus resulting inwasted time and effort spent untangling the fasteners.

Thus, what is needed is a carrier for carrying or holding a plurality ofhook and loop fasteners. The carrier should allow for both the ready andorganized placement of hook and loop fasteners thereon and for theimmediate and ready availability of removing the fasteners there-from.When holding the fasteners, the carrier should prevent the fastenersfrom becoming disorganized and/or tangled with one another. The carriershould include a standard interface that allows it to be stackedvertically with other carriers. The carrier should also have an overall“flat” design such that it can be easily bagged or boxed for its storageand/or shipment. The carrier should further include attachment means toallow it to be attached to another object or hung or mounted onto awall. The present invention satisfies the foregoing needs and desires.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to carriers for carrying a plurality ofhook and loop fasteners. More specifically, the invention relates tocarriers for carrying a plurality of hook and loop fasteners that definehooks on at least a portion of one side of the fastener and loops on atleast a portion of the other.

In one embodiment, the carrier comprises a holding member defining atleast one receiver having a bottom adhering surface configured foroperable engagement with a first hook and loop fastener of theplurality. In other embodiments, the receiver further comprises at leastone aligning surface configured to align an outer edge of the fastenersof the plurality with one another. The at least one aligning surface ofthe receiver is about spoon or rectangular shaped for aligning the outeredges of a plurality of hook and loop fasteners of respectively similarshape. The aligning surface defines at least one opening for exposingleast one end of the plurality of hook and loop fasteners, with the atleast one opening is about co-terminus with the at least one end of theplurality of hook and loop fasteners, falling beyond the at least oneend of the plurality of hook and loop fasteners, or falling short of theat least one end of the plurality of hook and loop fasteners.

In another embodiment, the bottom adhering surface defines a rectanglehaving opposing ends and is configured for engagement with either spoonor rectangular shaped fasteners. At least one end of the bottom adheringsurface is about co-terminus with at least one end of the plurality ofhook and loop fasteners, falls beyond at least one end of the pluralityof hook and loop fasteners or falls short of at least one end of theplurality of hook and loop fasteners.

Yet other embodiments of the carrier are configured for operableengagement with hook and loop fasteners defining tabs and/or labels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of “spoon” shaped hookand loop fasteners;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of rectangular hookand loop fasteners;

FIG. 3A is a an exploded perspective view of a stack of rectangular hookand loop fasteners having a different hook and loop configuration fromthat of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is an exploded side elevation view of the stack of rectangularhook and loop fasteners of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carrier for carrying the hook and loopfasteners of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carrier for carrying the hook and loopfasteners of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a carrier forcarrying the hook and loop fasteners of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of “spoon” shaped hookand loop fasteners of FIG. 1 having optional tabs;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of rectangular hookand loop fasteners of FIG. 2 having optional tabs; and

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of rectangular hookand loop fasteners of FIG. 3 having optional tabs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

This invention relates generally to carriers for carrying a plurality fhook and loop fasteners. More specifically, the invention relates tocarriers for carrying a plurality of hook and loop fasteners 5 (FIGS. 1,2 and 3) that define hooks 15 on at least a portion 17 of one side 20 ofthe fastener and loops 25 on at least a portion of the other 30.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate fasteners 5, having about elongated “spoon” andrectangular shapes, respectively, each fastener having hook and loopmaterial portions 17 extending along the entire length of theirrespective opposite sides 20 and 30. The plurality of fasteners 5 arestacked one-on-top-of-another such that the hooks 15 and loops 25 oftheir respective sides 20 and 30 are operably engaged with one anotherto form a stack 32. In contrast, FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate rectangularshaped fasteners 5 having hook and loop material portions 17 extendingonly partially along the lengths of their respective opposite sides 20and 30, and in apposition with one another. The portions 17 of the sidesof the fastener opposite of the hook or loop material portions 17 haveno hooks or loops thereon. The plurality of fasteners 5 are thus stackedone-on-top-of-another in alternating positions(i.e., each fastenerrotated 180 degrees in relation to another fastener) such that the hookand loop portions of their respective sides 20 and 30 are operablyengaged with one another, again to form the stack 32. Due to thoseportions 17 of the fasteners 5 not having hooks or loops thereon, thestack defines and “alternating fan-fold” configuration. Whilespoon-shaped and rectangular shaped fasteners are used by example,herein, it is understood that various shapes of fastener are availablethat may be used as part of or with this invention, to include fastenershaving circular, ovular, square, triangular and numerous other shapesand combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 4, the carrier 35 comprises a holding member 40defining at least one receiver 45. The at least one receiver 45comprises a bottom adhering surface 50 and at least one aligning surface55. The bottom adhering surface 50 is configured for operable engagementwith a first hook and loop fastener 60 of the plurality 5 (FIG. 1) whilethe at least one aligning surface 55 is configured to align an outeredge 61 of each fastener of the plurality with one another. However, itis understood that the receiver 45 may comprise only the bottom surface50 without the any aligning surface whatsoever (to be furtherdiscussed).

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the bottom adhering surface 50 of thereceiver 45 is spoon-shaped and defines at least one hook or loopsurface segment 62 configured for operable engagement with therespective hooks 15 or loops 25 of the first fastener 60 of FIG. 1. Thehook or loop surface segment 62 of this embodiment covers the entirearea of and is unitary with the bottom adhering surface 50 of thereceiver 45. However, it is understood that the at least one segmentcould only partially cover a portion of the area as well. The bottomadhering surface of this embodiment is thus comprised of a material (tobe further discussed) having the hooks or loops unitary with or moldedinto the receiver's bottom surface to create the hook or loop surface.In other embodiments, the bottom adhering surface is preferably smoothand has a layer of hook or loop material attached to at least onesegment thereof, via glue or adhesive, to create the hook or loopsurface. Yet other embodiments have the layer of hook or loop materialattached to at least one segment of the bottom adhering surface withmechanical fasteners such as screws, nut and bolt combinations, rivetsor other fasteners known to one of skill in the art, to create the hookor loop surface.

The at least one aligning surface 55 of FIG. 4 is about spoon-shaped toalign the plurality of hook and loop fasteners 5 having an outer edge 61also defining an approximate, elongated spoon (FIG. 1). Although thealigning surface 55 of FIG. 4 is illustrated defining angular corners,it is understood that the aligning surface can define curved corners aswell. The plurality of fasteners 5 are stacked one-on-top-of-anotherwithin the aligning surface 55 and have the hooks and loops of theirrespective sides 20 and 30 operably engaged with one another, eachhaving an outer edge about aligned with the aligning surface. The atleast one hook or loop portion of the bottom surface of the firstfastener of the plurality is operably engaged with the hook or loopsurface of the receiver. The at least one aligning surface preferablydefines at least one opening 65 such that at least one end 67 of theplurality of fasteners stacked therein are preferably exposed. The end67 can be about co-terminus with the opening, fall beyond the opening,or fall short of the opening. It is understood, however, that the atleast one opening can be defined anywhere along the aligning surface.Regardless, one seeking to use one or more fasteners of the pluralitycan thus grasp the fasteners' outer ends through the opening to peel andremove one or more of the fasteners from the stack.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of carrier 35. The carrier 35again comprises a holding member 40 defining at least one receiver 45.Although the at least one receiver 45 of this embodiment again has abottom adhering surface 50, the at least one aligning surface 55preferably comprises opposing first and second elongated side surfaces70 and 75. The bottom adhering surface 50 is again configured foroperable engagement with a first hook and loop fastener 60 of theplurality 5 while the first and second elongated side surfaces 70 and 75are configured to align opposing elongated outer edges 85 and 90 of aplurality of elongated rectangular fasteners (FIGS. 2 and 3) with oneanother. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the bottom adhering surface 50 ofthe receiver 45 is preferably of an elongated rectangular shape anddefines at least one hook or loop surface segment 62 configured foroperable engagement with the respective hooks 15 or loops 25 of thefirst fastener 60.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the hook or loop surface segment 62 coversthe entire area of and is unitary with the bottom adhering surface 50 ofthe receiver 45. However, it is understood that the at least one segmentcould only partially cover a portion of the area as well. The receiverof this embodiment defines an adhering bottom surface that is preferablysmooth and has a layer of hook or loop material attached to at least onesegment thereof, via glue or adhesive, to create the hook or loopsurface. Other embodiments have the layer of hook or loop materialattached to the at least one segment of the bottom adhering surface withmechanical fasteners such as screws, nut and bolt combinations, rivetsor other fasteners known to one of skill in the art, to create the hookor loop surface. In yet other embodiments, the bottom adhering surfaceis comprised of a material (to be further discussed) having the hooks orloops unitary with or molded into the receiver's bottom surface tocreate the hook or loop surface.

The opposing side surfaces 70 and 75 of FIG. 5 thus preferably define achannel 80 to align the plurality of hook and loop fasteners 5 definingthe opposing, elongated outer edges 85 and 90 of a rectangle. Theplurality of fasteners 5 of FIG. 2 are stacked one-on-top-of-anotherwithin the channel 80 and have the hooks and loops of their respectivesides 20 and 30 operably engaged with one another while the plurality offasteners 5 of FIG. 3 are stacked one-on-top-of-another in alternatingpositions (i.e., each fastener rotated 180 degrees in relation toanother fastener) such that the hooks and loops portions of theirrespective sides 20 and 30 are operably engaged with one another. Theelongated outer edges of each fastener of FIG. and 3 are about alignedwith the receiver's side alignment surfaces. Nonetheless, the bottomhook or loop surface of the first fastener of the plurality is operablyengaged with the hook or loop surface of the receiver.

In one embodiment, the channel is “open-ended” such that that theopposing ends 67 and 68 of the plurality of rectangular fastenersstacked therein are exposed via a pair of openings. The ends 67 and 68can be about co-terminus with the openings, fall beyond the openings, orfall short of the openings. One seeking to use one or more fasteners ofthe plurality can thus grasp one or both of the fasteners' outer endsthrough the openings to peel and remove the fasteners) from the stack.In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, one end of the channelis “closed” by an end surface 110 of the at least one aligning surface55 such that only one of the opposing ends of the plurality of fastenersstacked therein is exposed. The end surface is thus configured to alignthe other opposing end of the plurality. It is understood however, thateither end of the fastener may be aligned by end surface 110 as well.With one end of the fastener located at the end surface, the other endis exposed at opening 65. Again, the end can be about co-terminus withthe opening, fall beyond the opening, or fall short of the opening. Inyet other embodiments, the end surface 110 and/or first and/or secondopposing side surfaces 70 and 75 may have the at least one surfaceopening 65 defined therein to provide multiple access points to thestacked plurality of fasteners 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the carrier 35. The carrier35 again comprises a holding member 40. The at least one receiver 45 ofthis embodiment is defined by at least one adhering surface 50 of thecarrier, with the at least one aligning surface 55 being absent. Thebottom adhering surface 50 is again configured for operable engagementwith a first hook and loop fastener 60 of the plurality 5 (FIGS. 1-3) Inthe embodiment of FIG. 6, the bottom adhering surface 50 of the receiver45 is preferably of an elongated rectangular shape and defines at leastone hook or loop surface segment 62 configured for operable engagementwith the respective hooks 15 or loops 25 of the first fastener 60.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the hook or loop surface segment 62 coversthe entire area of and is unitary with the bottom adhering surface 50.However, it is understood that the at least one segment could onlypartially cover a portion of the area as well. The bottom adheringsurface is again preferably smooth and has a layer of hook or loopmaterial attached to at least one segment thereof, via glue or adhesive,to create the hook or loop surface. Other embodiments have the layer ofhook or loop material attached to the at least one segment of the bottomadhering surface with mechanical fasteners such as screws, nut and boltcombinations, rivets or other fasteners known to one of skill in theart, to create the hook or loop surface. In yet other embodiments, thebottom adhering surface is comprised of a material (to be furtherdiscussed) having the hooks or loops unitary with or molded into thecarrier itself to create the hook or loop surface.

Although the aligning surface is absent, the plurality of fasteners 5 ofFIG. 2 are nonetheless stacked one-on-top-of-another on the bottomadhering surface 50 defining the receiver 45 and have the hooks andloops of their respective sides 20 and 30 operably engaged with oneanother, while the plurality of fasteners 5 of FIG. 3 are stackedone-on-top-of-another in alternating positions (i.e., each fastenerrotated 180 degrees in relation to another fastener) such that the hooksand loops portions of their respective sides 20 and 30 are operablyengaged with one another. The elongated outer edges of each fastener ofFIGS. 1-3 are about aligned with the bottom adhering surface 50 and oneanother. Nonetheless, the bottom hook or loop surface of the firstfastener of the plurality is operably engaged with the hook or loopsurface of the bottom adhering surface.

Because the at least one receiver of FIG. 6 does not define a channel,the opposing ends 67 and 68 of the plurality of fasteners stackedthereon are exposed. At least one end of the plurality of hook and loopfasteners can be about co-terminus with at least one end of the bottomadhering surface, fall beyond at least one end of the surface, or fallshort of at least one end of the surface. One seeking to use one or morefasteners of the plurality can thus grasp one or both of the fasteners'outer ends through the openings to peel and remove the fastener(s) fromthe stack. Also, because there is no channel, multiple access points tothe stacked plurality of fasteners 5 are inherently provided.

Regardless of embodiment, the holding member 40 is preferably sheet-formin structure and comprised of rigid or semi-rigid materials to includerubbers, plastics, metals, woods, carbon-fiber or fiberglass materialsor any other material understood in the art as providing rigid orsemi-rigid properties. However, it is understood that the holding member40 can have other shape as well, to include shapes embodying cylinders,blocks, or spheres and other shapes as well, alone or in combination.The holding member optionally defines at least one mounting means 112 tofacilitate mounting or attaching the carrier to another object. In theembodiment of FIG. 5, the at least one mounting means comprises athrough penetration of the holding member to facilitate the use ofcommon mechanical fasteners understood in the art. However, in otherembodiments, the mounting means may comprise adhesive or magneticsurfaces, hooks, brackets or other similar materials understood in theart attached to, embedded in or unitary with the holding member. It isnoted that the carrier is optionally stackable, one-on-top-of-another,to facilitate its improved use and storage. As such, the lower surfaceof the mounting member may include one or more voids or protrusions forstacking engagement with the at least one receiver 45 located on themember's upper surface of other similar carriers. In the alternative,the lower surface may define at least one receiver as well (as per itsupper surface).

Also, the receivers 45 of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 are comprisedof rigid or semi-rigid materials to include as rubbers, plastics,metals, woods, carbon-fiber or fiberglass materials or any othermaterial understood in the art as providing rigid or semi-rigidproperties. In one embodiment, the receivers 45 are unitary with orembedded in the holding member 40 while in other embodiments thereceivers comprise separate structures removably or permanently attachedthereto via adhesives or glues, welds, or mechanical fasteners such asscrews, nut and bolt combinations, rivets or other fasteners known toone of skill in the art. A removable attachment of the at least onereceiver to the holding member facilitates its selective use in relationto the carrier. Furthermore, although FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate receiversthat have a substantially parallel orientation with one another, it isunderstood that the receiver can have any such orientation in relationto one another, to include, without limitation, oblique, radial,end-to-end, and other relations, alone or in combination.

Depending upon the materials used, the at least one receiver 45 andholding member 40 may be comprised of a common material or each may becomprised of a different material. A commonality of materials typicallyexists when the at least one receiver and holding member are unitarywith one another and created with a molding and/or machining or similarprocess. Differences in material between the at least one receiver andholding member typically exist when the components are initiallyindependent of one another but attached during an assembly process asdiscussed above. However, it is understood that these assembledcomponents may be nonetheless comprised of a common material. Dependingupon the material composition of the holding member or at least onereceiver, either or both components may be readily disposable when nolonger used.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 respectively illustrate alternate embodiments of thefasteners of FIGS. 1-3. In these embodiments, at least one end of thefasteners defines a tab 115 for aid in removing a fastener from thestack. In the embodiment illustrated within the figures, the tabcomprises fastener material that is folded over and welded, sewn orglued to itself. Preferably, the outer surface is loop material foldedover such that it will not engage (i.e., not stick to) the outer surfaceof loop material the tab of the fastener stacked below it. However, itis understood that the hook material may be folded over as well. For thecarrier embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the tabs can be about co-terminuswith the opening 65 of the receiver, fall beyond the opening, or fallshort of the opening. For the carrier embodiment of FIG. 6, the tabs canbe about co-terminus with the adhering surface 50 of the receiver, fallbeyond the surface, or fall short of the surface.

In other embodiments of the fastener 5, the tab comprises materialunitary with the fastener and missing hook and/or loop material from oneor both of the fastener's upper and lower surfaces such that the tabsurfaces of the fasteners cannot engage one another. In furtherembodiments, the tab comprises labeling material, missing hook and/orloop material from one or both if its upper and lower surfaces, welded,sewn or glued to the at least one end such that the tab surfaces of thefasteners cannot engage one another. The labeling material may comprisedurable textile materials, plastic or rubber sheet-form materials, orother materials understood in the art as suitable for durable tagging orlabeling purposes.

In use, at least a first hook and loop fastener of the plurality isreceived within at least one receiver of a carrier. Each fastener of theplurality defines hooks on at least a portion of one side of thefastener and loops on at least a portion of the other. The first hookand loop fastener operably engages a bottom surface of the receiverwhile an outer edge of the first hook and loop fastener about alignswith at least one aligning surface of the receiver. The remaining hookand loop fasteners operably engage one another to form the plurality,each having an outer edge about aligned with the alignment surface.

The at least first hook and loop fastener and the remaining fasteners ofthe stack may be received within a receiver at, their place ofmanufacture (for later retail or commercial sales distribution) or attheir place of use (i.e., at home by a retail user of fasteners or at awork station by a commercial or industrial user). If the first hook andloop fastener of the plurality is received within the receiver at theirplace of use, it is assumed that the user possesses the carrier andfasteners separately for self assembly (i.e., for placing the fastenerswithin the receiver).

After at least the first fastener is received within the receiver of thecarrier, it and/or one or more of the remaining fasteners of theplurality, if present, may again be removed therefrom for fasteningapplications. Such a removal occurs by grasping an end of the fastenermade accessible through an open channel end or through a surface openingof a side or end surface of the receiver and peeling and removing thefastener from another fastener of the plurality within the receiver, orfrom the bottom surface of the receiver itself (i.e., if the fastenerbeing removed is the first fastener of the plurality). If the fastenershave tabs, the user grasps the tabs for fastener removal. After thecompletion of the fastening application, the fastener optionally againplaced into the received of the carrier for re-use. If the carrier isnot to be used again after all of the fasteners have been removed fromits one or more receivers, the fastener may optionally be disposed of inthe trash.

While this foregoing description and accompanying figures areillustrative of the present invention, other variations in structure andmethod are possible without departing from the invention's spirit andscope.

We claim:
 1. A carrier for carrying a plurality hook and loop fastenersthat define hooks on at least a portion of one side of the fastener andloops on at least a portion of the other, the carrier comprising: aholding member defining at least one receiver having a bottom adheringsurface configured for operable engagement with a first hook and loopfastener of the plurality.
 2. The carrier of claim 1 wherein thereceiver further comprises at least one aligning surface configured toalign an outer edge of the fasteners of the plurality with one another.3. The carrier of claim 2 wherein the at least one aligning surface ofthe receiver and the outer edge of the fasteners of the plurality areabout spoon-shaped.
 4. The carrier of claim 3 wherein the aligningsurface defines at least one opening for exposing at least one end ofthe plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
 5. The carrier of claim 4wherein the at least one opening is about co-terminus with the least oneend of the plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
 6. The carrier of claim4 wherein the at least one opening falls beyond the at least one end ofthe plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
 7. The carrier of claim 4wherein the at least one opening falls short of the at least one end ofthe plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
 8. The carrier of claim 2wherein the at least one aligning surface comprises opposing first andsecond opposing side surfaces defining opposing open ends of thereceiver and configured to align a pair of opposing elongated outeredges of the plurality of hook and loop fasteners, the plurality of hookand loop fasteners about rectangular-shaped.
 9. The carrier of claim 8wherein the opposing open ends are about respectively co-terminus a pairof opposing ends defined by the plurality of hook and loop fasteners.10. The carrier of claim 8 wherein the opposing open ends respectivelyfall beyond a pair of opposing ends defined by the plurality of hook andloop fasteners.
 11. The carrier of claim 8 wherein the opposing openends respectively fall short of a pair of opposing ends defined by theplurality of hook and loop fasteners.
 12. The carrier of claim 8 whereinone of the open ends is closed ley an end surface of the at least onealigning surface to define a remaining open end and the plurality ofhook and loop fasteners defines a pair of opposing ends, the end surfaceconfigured to align a first end of the pair of opposing ends.
 13. Thecarrier of claim 12 wherein the remaining open end is about co-terminuswith a second end of the pair of opposing ends.
 14. The carrier of claim12 wherein the remaining open end falls beyond a second end of the pairof opposing ends.
 15. The carrier of claim 12 wherein the remaining openend falls short of a second end of the pair of opposing ends.
 16. Thecarrier of claim 1 wherein the bottom adhering surface defines arectangle having opposing ends.
 17. The carrier of claim 16 wherein atleast one end of the bottom adhering surface is about co-terminus withat least one end of the plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
 18. Thecarrier of claim 16 wherein at least one end of the bottom adheringsurface falls beyond at least one end of the plurality of hook and loopfasteners.
 19. The carrier of claim 16 wherein at least one end of thebottom adhering surface falls short of at least one end of the pluralityof hook and loop fasteners.